Activated carbon is a common water purifier filter material and is widely used because of its excellent adsorption properties. Its microporous structure can effectively absorb organic matter, odor, residual chlorine and other impurities in the water, thereby improving water quality. This makes activated carbon one of the commonly used filter materials in water purifiers. When water passes through the activated carbon filter element, the impurities in it will be adsorbed on the surface of the activated carbon, and clean water will flow out, thus achieving the purpose of purifying water quality.
Water is a precious resource that sustains all living organisms on Earth. As human activities continue to impact water quality, the need for effective water treatment methods becomes increasingly imperative. One such method that has gained prominence is the use of activated carbon. Activated carbon, with its exceptional adsorption capabilities, plays a pivotal role in purifying water by removing contaminants and impurities.
Water is a precious resource that sustains all living organisms on Earth. As human activities continue to impact water quality, the need for effective water treatment methods becomes increasingly imperative. One such method that has gained prominence is the use of activated carbon. Activated carbon, with its exceptional adsorption capabilities, plays a pivotal role in purifying water by removing contaminants and impurities.
The two main reasons chemicals adsorb ontoActivated carbon are a ‘’dislike’’ of the water, and an attraction to activated carbon. Adsorption of most contaminants results from a combination of these reasons. Many organic compounds, such as chlorinated and non-chlorinated solvents, gasoline, pesticides and trihalomethanes can be adsorbed by AC. AC effectively removes chlorine and is moderately effective in removing some heavy metals. AC will also remove metals bound to organic molecules. Fluoride, chloride, nitrate, hardness (calcium and magnesium) and most metal ions are not removed by AC to any significant degree.
Activated carbon is an efficient and cost-effective solution for removing a wide range of contaminants from industrial and municipal wastewater, contaminated ground and groundwater. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers adsorption by activated carbon to be the best available technology for the removal of many contaminants in surface water. Activated carbon aids in the removal of:
- Compounds that cause unwanted taste, odor or color
- Organic materials from decaying plants and other naturally-occurring contaminants
- Disinfection byproducts (DBPs) linked to chlorine and alternative disinfectants
- Algal toxins and cyanotoxins, such as microcystin-LR, cylindrospermopsin and anatoxin-A
- Endocrine-disrupting compounds that can adversely affect hormonal systems
- Pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) contamination
- PFOS/PFOA
- Pesticides
- Heavy metals
Activated carbon (AC) filters primarily remove taste and odors in home water treatment systems. Taste and odor, although undesirable, are generally not considered health risks. In recent years, AC filters have been used to remove some of the contaminants discovered in water supplies.
AC effectively removes organic compounds such as volatile organic compounds, pesticides and benzene. It can also remove some metals and radon. As with any treatment system, it cannot eliminate all possible drinking water contaminants. The adsorption principle of activated carbon is the comprehensive effect of physical adsorption and chemical adsorption. Its microporous structure provides a huge surface area and strong adsorption force, and can quickly absorb harmful substances in water. Physical adsorption is mainly achieved through the microporous structure and pores on the surface of the adsorbent, while chemical adsorption fixes impurities on the surface of activated carbon through chemical reactions. Application of activated carbon in drinking water filtration Remove odor and residual chlorine: Activated carbon can effectively remove odor and residual chlorine in water and improve the taste of water. This is crucial to improving the quality and taste of drinking water.
Removal of organic matter: Activated carbon can absorb organic matter in water, such as pesticide residues, drug residues, etc., ensuring the safety of drinking water. Removal of heavy metals: Activated carbon can also absorb heavy metal ions in water, such as lead, mercury, etc., reducing the risk of the human body ingesting heavy metals. Purify water quality: Activated carbon can effectively purify water quality, improve the purity and transparency of water, and make it more suitable for drinking.
A filter with granular Activated carbon (GAC) is a proven option to remove certain chemicals, particularly organic chemicals, from water. GAC filters also can be used to remove chemicals that give objectionable odors or tastes to water such as hydrogen sulfide (rotten eggs odor) or chlorine.
However, other chemicals, like iron and nitrate, are not attracted to the carbon and are not removed and another type of filter, such as reverse osmosis (RO) or green sand may be needed. RO filters will also remove certain organic chemicals.
The lifespan and regeneration issues of activated carbon are also factors to consider. After being used for a period of time, activated carbon will gradually become saturated and lose its adsorption capacity. In order to extend the service life of Activated carbon, it can be replaced regularly or regenerated. Regular replacement of activated carbon needs to be determined based on water quality and usage. It is generally recommended to replace it every 3–6 months. Regenerated activated carbon can be treated with high-temperature steam or chemical methods to restore its adsorption capacity. Whether it is replacement or regeneration, it is necessary to choose the appropriate method according to the actual situation to ensure the effect of filtering drinking water.
Zhengzhou Yihang Water Purification Materials Co.,Ltd
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E-mail : joyce@yihangcarbon.com
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